"The 33"-Road Bike RacingWe set this forum up for our members to discuss their experiences in either pro or amateur racing, whether they are the big races, or even the small backyard races. Don't forget to update all the members with your own race results.

I've thought about LT and VO2 testing. I'm not sure how I could use the information for anything other than a scientific curiousity, though, so I've never considered it much further. Field testing seems much more applicable to training and racing.

I find the same thing with cars I work on. New engineers want to do all sorts of science experiments, which, no doubt, are cool in a geeky sort of a way. When I ask the question, "Now you're going to spend $XXXX to do 'Y'. How is that going to make the car faster?" I often get blank stares. If you have everything in place to actually use the information (i.e. simulations, etc.), then you can use the info. If you can't afford the whole ball of wax, though, you're really just pissing in the wind.

It's the same deal with lab testing in cycling. If you can do regular tests, adjust your diet (medical 'preparations' in times past) and training schemes and possibly even the races you do (i.e. you're a pro), then it makes sense. If you're not into it that serious, though, it's more of just a data point in space, which tells you quite little on it's own. You'd probably be better off spending that money somewhere else.

Rolling with a PT wheel instead of the Quarq right now. Need to order a spider for the Specialized cranks but the Quarq needs to go first.

Setup a working / training station. Bike on a trainer with two saw horses and a plank with a laptop over the bars. Tres fancy, but dammit it works. Got in an hour while responding to people not being to smrt.

Rolling with a PT wheel instead of the Quarq right now. Need to order a spider for the Specialized cranks but the Quarq needs to go first.

Setup a working / training station. Bike on a trainer with two saw horses and a plank with a laptop over the bars. Tres fancy, but dammit it works. Got in an hour while responding to people not being to smrt.

I've never understood the angst to testing. I only test twice per year. One to begin and one mid season. I've applied this over to running as well over the last year. You should be able to "feel" FTP changes if you take time to learn the principle and not count on BF to be your gauge.

And testing for bike is super simple at the end of a rest week if you MAP test. Only takes half hour, tops.

Sprint efforts last night...OUCH! This is how it felt: My legs -> <- Pain

Then 14 hours later (this morning) 2x20s, it was a little harder because of only 14 hours of rest when my legs were already ruined but I was still able to produce the same efforts compared to my other 2x20s. I'd say the last 2 rides were successful. Rest tomorrow (Y).

Pretty sure I should be doing more specific training. Original schedule got FUBAR'd (okay, more like FUBSR'd*), and I haven't revised my spreadsheet. Planned peak pushed back 2 weeks or so, so I'm still fumbling through my first build period. I'm not sweating it much cause I'm still going to be faster than ever. But when the hell do I need to start doing sprint work? A month before my target race? Two weeks? Not sure. I do know that my sprint tank is currently reading 'E' whenever we get after it on the fast group rides, and that needs to change since my big races are crits.

So what's the consensus on training while sick? I have a head cold that I think is trying to sneak its way into my chest.

IME, rest and hydration work the best. If you go out on the bike, don't go harder than endurance pace. Lay off the fruit juice, it'll just make you fat; the time for vitamin C intake is before you get sick, it doesn't help when you're already wheezing.